World urges Turkey to back democratic govt as coup attempt plays out

World leaders urged “respect for democratic institutions” in key Nato member and European neighbour Turkey as parts of the military launched a coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and violence erupted in Istanbul.

People rally in support for Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan outside The White House in Washington.(AFP Photo)

World leaders urged “respect for democratic institutions” in key Nato member and European neighbour Turkey as parts of the military launched a coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and violence erupted in Istanbul.

The United States, Russia, Nato and the European Union all appealed for stability, with US President Barack Obama calling on all parties in Turkey to back the “democratically-elected” government.

Detailing a call between Obama and secretary of state John Kerry, the White House said both agreed that “all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected government of Turkey, show restraint, and avoid any violence or bloodshed.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov meanwhile told reporters that Moscow is “deeply concerned” about the situation, with President Vladimir Putin being kept up to date by the foreign ministry and intelligence services.

“At the moment the quantity of information makes it impossible to clearly define what is happening in the country,” he said.

“The only priority is to ensure the safety of Russian state institutions and Russian citizens on the territory of Turkey.”

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov had earlier called on Turkey to avoid all “bloodshed” and insisted that the problems in the country be resolved “in accordance with the constitution.”

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg called for “calm and restraint, and full respect for Turkey’s democratic institutions and its constitution,” adding that the country is “a valued NATO ally”.

The European Union also urged “restraint” in Turkey.

“Call for restraint and respect for democratic institutions #Turkey,” tweeted Federica Mogherini, the EU’s foreign policy chief, from a regional summit in Mongolia.